Using Council’s Local Area Network (LAN) and email system, staff at the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters in South Australia have developed a system that is facilitating occupational health and safety management. After finding Council’s former Hazard Reporting System to be inefficient in regards to dealing with the volume of data being produced, Council embarked on a change, utilising the existing LAN and email system to produce a system.
“The updating and maintenance of the initial system proved to be time consuming and extremely difficult,” said Council’s Coordinator Organisation Development, Lucy Perpetua.“While inspections and hazards were being reported, the coordination aspect of the process was becoming a laborious and resource intensive exercise.”
The result is an electronic OH&S Management System. Currently a Council test group is working on the system, and together with the Local Government Association of South Australia is developing a version that can be implemented throughout Councils across the State.
“The electronic system offers a balance of paper work and a simple communication link that allows the information to be directed to all responsible officers,” Lucy Perpetua said.
Data is entered into the system and transported across a number of locations. The system then asks logical questions requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer from the person making the report.
“Behind the scenes, the system has the ability to calculate a risk assessment, and send a formal notification to employees, supervisors, OH&S representatives, fire wardens, managers and the CEO,” Lucy Perpetua said.“It has made a positive impact within the organisation, and has proven to be an excellent communication tool allowing high quality reporting features to enhance overall performance. Its simplicity is a relief; it’s easy to understand and even easier to follow. Any staff member with basic computer skills can use the system.”
For further information, contact Lucy Perpetua on (08) 8366 4550.
